James Murray, the actor known for roles in The Crown and other prominent television dramas, has opened up about the deeply unsettling experience that marked the very beginning of his on-screen career: a brief appearance on ITV's legendary soap opera, Coronation Street.
A Soap Opera Nightmare
During a recent interview on Alan Titchmarsh's ITV programme, Love Your Weekend, Murray confessed that his three-episode role on the cobbles was so daunting it made him question his entire career path. He portrayed Sandy, the barman for iconic characters Jack and Vera Duckworth, many years ago.
"I was Jack and Vera's barman for about three episodes, it was a frightening experience," Murray stated bluntly. "No good at the job! Thankfully, I think I was contracted for three episodes, so I was in and out, but it was so frightening."
The 'Sausage Factory' of Soap Filming
The actor went on to describe the intense, rapid-fire production style of the long-running serial drama, which he found overwhelming for a novice.
"You know how those things are filmed, it's very quick. It's like a sausage factory!" he explained. "There's not much time for creative input from the actors, shall we say. You just stand on your mark, say your line, and we move on. That was my first introduction into the world of acting, screen acting. I walked into the Rovers, and I was absolutely petrified!"
Murray recalled being physically affected by the pressure, admitting, "The bright lights, I overlearned my lines, and I was just a mess. I was shaking and sweating."
A Stern Warning from a Veteran
His nervous state did not go unnoticed. The late Bill Tarmey, who played Jack Duckworth, was filming a scene polishing a glass beside him and offered some brutally honest advice.
"He [Bill] went, 'You're shaking like a leaf, son, either stop shaking or think of doing something else'," Murray recounted. This stark moment crystallised his feelings about the soap opera format.
"After that stint on Corrie, I said I don't want to be an actor, or I don't want to be an actor like this, because it was so frightening to me!" he revealed. "Being thrown into the lion's den, first off. I then went and did theatre and other things, but yeah, never again. My hat goes off to the way they act in those shows because it's so quick."
From Cobbles to Villainous Roles
Fortunately, the traumatic experience did not drive him away from acting entirely. James Murray has since built a successful career, often gravitating towards more sinister characters.
He recently appeared as the villainous Raef Lonsdale in the 2025 BBC drama series Wild Cherry. Joking with Titchmarsh, he noted he "can't remember" the last time he didn't play an evil character, musing that it might be related to his eyebrows.
Despite his initial terror on the set of Coronation Street, Murray's career trajectory proves that a frightening start can ultimately lead to a diverse and accomplished life in television, albeit far from the relentless pace of Weatherfield's Rovers Return.
